Cheap Eats 2010

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Generally, the quality of a taqueria’s food is inversely proportional to the quality of the taqueria itself. That is, the dingier and more dilapidated the restaurant, the better the grub. But don’t let the pleasant lighting, orange IKEA chairs and general cleanliness of Cha! Cha! Cha! fool you—this local mini-chain is a solid entry in Portland’s competitive cheap-Mexican category. And Cha manages to upgrade its ambience and ingredients (Carlton Farms pork, Painted Hills beef) without inflating its prices. Hefty burritos are under $5, and $5.95 buys some of the city’s best nachos piled high with all the fixings and the protein of your choice. (Shredded beef is the best choice.)